With a kiss on the cheek as a token,
consider all of our promises broken;
and all the laughs are all we'll ever have.

Spirit smoking on your doorstep--
two hearts broken in with one catch:
one was for him, the other, for you.

Mother, marry after my confession.
Don't forget to ask for my blessing if it crosses you mind.
I'll be on Peaceful Ave., having finally spent some time on my knees

Mother, Marry

There is no question, just a matter of time
before you see your dreams are not on the line.
Look past your fears and I'll be there on that day.

And I need to say I wont compromise while I bide my time.

I know my friends think I am wasting my life.
But they don't decide.
But then who am I to look them straight in the eye and say
I'm not out of my mind?
I'll say I'm not out of my mind. I'll say.
I'm not out of my mind.

Its not a question, just a matter of time
before you see your heart is not on the line,
and all you want is just a whisper away.

And I need to say I wont compromise while I bide my time.

I know my friends think I am wasting my life.
But they don't decide.
But then who am I to look them straight in the eye and say
I'm not out of my mind?
I'll say I'm not out of my mind, I'll say.
I'm not out of my mind.


I'll Say

Neck tie tight:
a dress rehearsal for an inevitable ride.
Learn how to swing, dance on my grave tonight;
a celebration for a knot that Jack Ketch tied.

There is no Judgement
There is no Discipline
There is the Collective

Diving in head first:
a bottle fit to burst a little bubble of time before my belt pulls straight;
turning water into life.
Hesitate to hear the truth of what all the Voices said.

There is no Judgement
There is no Discipline
There is the Collective

Diving in head first:
a bottle fit to burst a little bubble of time before my belt pulls straight;
turning water into life.
Hesitate to hear the truth of what all the Voices said.

There is no Judgement
There is no Discipline
There is the Collective

The Collective

Run in your slumber
head pounding thunder
what kills makes you stronger
but what you don't see 
is that trait will not help you to stay in the game
that much longer

Turn back the cover
the sheets of your lover
make room for another
but what you don't see
are the ways that each sacrifice made will betray you
in the long run

Fight going under
in violent screaming hunger
and learn how suffer
in silence and restraint
like a saint
but in a lonelier way
and dream of the waves that you never made

Waves You Never Made

I carry a burden
of good times with you
racing out of the rust belt
stealing maps along the way

our destination was in view
until a storm blew into the harbor
that shack was our only cover
two walls painted red, two painted blue

we took a tour of a chapel
but the bells never rang
a couple from Kansas gave us two parking passes
and directions too far-fetched to believe

our destination was in view
until a storm blew into the harbor
that shack was our only cover
two walls painted red, two painted blue

our destination was in view
until a storm blew into the harbor
that shack was our only cover
two walls painted red, two painted blue
two walls painted red, two painted blue
two walls painted red, two painted blue

Only Cover

How to ask for help
and how to hold your breath
one more thing requested is a marathon of theft

Exhale every north wind
from the mountains on your chest
the irony sequestered and discarded on a desk

Proudly saw the bright side
silver linings traded
and no blue ribbon waving

I remember the smell of leaves
rustling at our feet
the warmth of the wind tugging my hair
lit gently at harvest peak

A window in the sunshine
trees painted on the wall
bits of white like fireflies from fallen Christmas lights

Proudly saw the bright side
silver linings traded
and no blue ribbon waving

Sending one last time
words we both thought I had left behind
Sending one more time
words we both wish I could leave behind

Proudly saw the bright side
silver linings traded
and no blue ribbon waving

Proudly saw the bright side
silver linings traded
and no blue ribbon waving

No Blue Ribbon

You love being wanted but you don't want to be loved
Desired, never needed
remaining undefeated
then you'll never leave them bound and burning

Can you feel me? Hear this sound!
Captivated by this broken boy you found
He's not what you expected
your darkness was reflected
Ignited and connected, bound and burning

No, it's not a fairy tale
though strong spells had been cast and broken
time stands still until we're awoken
a carriage turned into a pumpkin
but shining armor can't protect from what is coming
Bound and burning

Other plans may fall away; larger forces are at play
They'll push us down or lift us up much higher
you can't fight what's inside you
its will is your desire
bound and burning

We've met our match, we never stood a chance
when fates collide they strike divine twin fires
our hands are tied and staked into the pyre

Some comfort found as flames rise and rise
at least we're tied where we can look into each others eyes
and know we'll meet again in countless other lives
Bound and burning
Bound and burning
Bound and burning
Bound and burning

Bound and Burning

In the moment next to this the ring will leave my hand
I'll be laying on the stones before the bullets even land
In the moments I have left you're running out the door
coming from behind where you were not just before

Every tribulation a trial
seats in the jury open wide
watch yourself in the witness stand
there's a gavel in your hand
black robes understand

In the moments as I sprint toward cupids fletching fate
legs give as I touch the string; too little and too late
Bouncing off of walls the locust swarm ascends
countless late hours spent in close-quarters combat inches from the bed

Every tribulation a trial
seats in the jury open wide
watch yourself in the witness stand
there's a gavel in your hand
black robes understand

Black Robes

Familiar faces.  A dim reminder that home is real, if not friendly.
These lowlands caught me strong.
I'm in two feet deep, where swamp gas and cattails bubble from the drink.
Grey skies persistence hold sunny days aloft;
attempts to quench the scanty throngs.
The empty spaces in the heart are forgotten,
no longer an eyesore amid drawn-out plans for reconstruction.
Where is the budget? Where is the support?
A majority of one hardly seems worthwhile considering the effort involved.
Move along?
I don't prefer my feet so cold and wet, but simple directions ease the traffic.
Maybe this is where I belong.
We color inside the lines
distracting my eyes from the flour and iodine.

Shake a hand or two on your way through
place your papers on the table
hollow out the sand while you stand in the queue
keep your ticket if you are able
these nights are always a bumpy ride
speakers remind us "stakes are high"
speaking of which, lets walk outside
where bent glass glows for open eyes
Islands on a velvet sea, warm red suns
Novocain potions stay the mind
steady courses spun with English
one white ship sunk, fifteen others left behind.

By and by a stream of consciousness flowing astride
wider than a smile growing love reflected and fully invested
every date a buy and a lie and a firm hand held high.
Steady and bored you're working the floor,
the city wild has settled the score indistinguishable from sin painted red.
Your unpredictable impregnated reconfigured passivity is ostensibly hibernating and dynamically usurping optimism.
Deconstructing consideration,
Eviscerating empathy.

Reflection on reflection
laser deflection
scattered hues straining against
separation
Pile driver pounding roots deep
compacting sensibility
Many-legged magpies run amok collecting and infecting
lateral motion meaningless and disturbing
Thankless offerings and ribbon and twine and luster and
mind
worth its weight in silence
anechoic rubrics, hubris tides
swinging cosine riddles and rhymes
The invisible general of the ride, behind cumulus nimble
apprehension thrives

Thumb Cat

You can turn off your phone without saying goodnight this time
I'm not going home; there's a looker within eyesight
casting a remix, hooking strangers, and keeping time
I won't spend my time alone

Tide pools warm and I'm not swimming
ten miles out the ship is listing
down and out, contently drifting
coldest waters have the biggest fishes

one last smoke before I finish, open mic for hopes diminished
singing "night-owl wisdom can't reconcile one's wishes"

Tide pools warm and I'm not swimming
ten miles out the ship is listing
down and out, contently drifting
coldest waters have the biggest fishes

You Are A Champion

Reflection on reflection
laser deflection
scattered hues straining against
separation
Pile driver pounding roots deep
compacting sensibility
Many-legged magpies run amok collecting and infecting
lateral motion meaningless and disturbing
Thankless offerings and ribbon and twine and luster and
mind
worth its weight in silence
anechoic rubrics, hubris tides
swinging cosine riddles and rhymes
The invisible general of the ride, behind cumulus nimble
apprehension thrives

Adam Fredric

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